12 child hazards that aren't in the handouts

You probably feel well equipped to tackle the safety issues drilled into parents from day one, like strapping your child into a car seat and childproofing your home. (If you need a refresher course, see our list of top hazards for young kids.)

But what about hazards that aren't in the handouts — mini Houdinis escaping their cribs, well-meaning but underprepared grandparents, and the little freedom lover who keeps unbuckling his car seat?

Below, BabyCenter moms and other experts share a slew of safety solutions for these and other dangers that don't get routinely covered in those brochures in your pediatrician's office.

Baby hazards

Hazard: Rustygrandparents. Your parents haven't taken care of a baby since you were one yourself. How can you trust them to watch yours?

Safety solutions: Have a conversation before you leave your baby in their care, says Dorothy Drago, author of From Crib to Kindergarten: The Essential Child Safety Guide. They might have completely different notions than you do of how to care for and feed your baby, or maybe they're just hazy on the details of childproofing.

Either way, you need to be vigilant for your baby's sake, says Drago. Talk about things such as SIDS prevention and not giving your child certain foods — like peanut butter — until she's old enough.

If you're particularly nervous, start with a "practice day" where you walk through your parents' home and babyproof it together, or simply have the grandparents watch your baby at your own childproofed home, suggests Tara, mom to 1-month-old Maxwell.

If grandparents use the line, "We survived just fine without all this protection," Drago advises telling them it wasn't until the 1970s that researchers began to systematically collect child injury data and get a handle on the causes and preventions of injuries.

Hazard: Gentle pets that snap. Even normally friendly animals can get rubbed the wrong way and react with a move that injures a baby. The majority of kids bitten by dogs are hurt by the family's own pet or by a neighbor's dog.

Safety solutions: First, prepare your pet, suggests BabyCenter reader Jody, mom of 1-month-old Logan. Show your pet the nursery and let him get used to its smells and sounds. Then, before you introduce your pet to your new baby, let him sniff a few items that smell like your baby (blankets and clothes, for example) so your pet can get familiar with the scent. That might help make their first meeting go smoothly.

Consider placing a screen door on your baby's bedroom or always keeping the door closed to keep pets out. If you worry that you won't be able to hear your baby well enough through a closed door, a baby monitor should do the trick.

No matter how lovable your pooch or kitty is, always supervise your animal and your child when they're together. "The cats and dog are allowed in her room when we're there, but not alone with her," says BabyCenter reader JMKelly618. And make sure your dog is trained to follow basic commands.

It's important, too, to teach your baby how to pet gently and act calm around the family animal. If your child grabs the pet's fur or pulls its tail, your pet may lash out. Many animals are also sensitive in the ears and neck. Teach kids not to give tight neck hugs or pull or poke your pet's ears.

"If our kids are mean to the pets, they aren't allowed to be around them for an entire day and we have them practice on a stuffed dog," says Stephanie, mom of four.

Hazard: Tub tricks. Your baby, eager to practice standing, tries to do it in the tub. How can you get him to stay safely seated?

Safety solutions: Possibly the best way to make bath time safe is to keep your baby entertained. "Have a variety of toys within reach," suggests Michelle, mom to 8-month-old Lauren. "The more occupied he is, the less he'll try to stand up and get out."

A baby bath seat can also help because many babies can't get out of one on their own. But note that you should always keep one hand on your baby — don't let yourself get distracted for even a moment. Gather all the bath gear around you beforehand so you don't have to turn away to find his favorite toy or the baby shampoo.

If you're not a fan of bath seats, you can begin teaching your baby that standing up will cut bath time short. "When my son starts to stand up, I gently sit him back down, tell him no, and try to distract him with a toy. I'll do this twice, and on his third attempt I'll end the bath," says BabyCenter reader DF#30.

You can also try limiting the space around your child. "I bathe my son in a plastic storage bin that I set in the tub," says Amanda, mom to 8-month-old Ezekiel. "I do my best to keep him seated, but if he tries to stand up and he slips, he won't fall into the hard tub — he'll just slip back down into a sitting position in the bin."

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